The BIG-IP appliance must be configured to automatically audit account-enabling actions.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-217410	F5BI-DM-000171	SV-217410r879696_rule		Medium

Description
Once an attacker establishes initial access to a system, the attacker often attempts to create a persistent method of reestablishing access. One way to accomplish this is for the attacker to simply enable a new or disabled account. Notification of account enabling is one method for mitigating this risk. A comprehensive account management process will ensure an audit trail that documents the creation of application user accounts and notifies administrators and Information System Security Officers (ISSO). Such a process greatly reduces the risk that accounts will be surreptitiously created and provides logging that can be used for forensic purposes.

Description

Once an attacker establishes initial access to a system, the attacker often attempts to create a persistent method of reestablishing access. One way to accomplish this is for the attacker to simply enable a new or disabled account. Notification of account enabling is one method for mitigating this risk. A comprehensive account management process will ensure an audit trail that documents the creation of application user accounts and notifies administrators and Information System Security Officers (ISSO). Such a process greatly reduces the risk that accounts will be surreptitiously created and provides logging that can be used for forensic purposes.

STIG	Date
F5 BIG-IP Device Management Security Technical Implementation Guide	2024-01-26

Details

Check Text ( C-18635r290784_chk )
Verify the BIG-IP appliance is configured to use a properly configured remote authentication server that automatically audits account-enabling actions. Navigate to the BIG-IP System manager >> System >> Users >> Authentication. Verify that "User Directory" is set to an approved authentication server type that automatically audits account-enabling actions. If the BIG-IP appliance is not configured to use a properly configured remote authentication server to automatically audit account-enabling actions, this is a finding.

Check Text ( C-18635r290784_chk )

Verify the BIG-IP appliance is configured to use a properly configured remote authentication server that automatically audits account-enabling actions.

Navigate to the BIG-IP System manager >> System >> Users >> Authentication.

Verify that "User Directory" is set to an approved authentication server type that automatically audits account-enabling actions.

If the BIG-IP appliance is not configured to use a properly configured remote authentication server to automatically audit account-enabling actions, this is a finding.

Fix Text (F-18633r290785_fix)
Configure the BIG-IP appliance to use a properly configured remote authentication server to automatically audit account-enabling actions.